Installing rear end gears. Gotta question.

[Kdubslugga]

Im helping a buddy with his 90 lx, were putting 4.10s in his AOD. Ive done gears before buts its been awhile. Anyway, we got the pinion in, measure all that, pinion depth is in spec, we just dropped the carrier in, we have the backlash right now at .008-.009 so were pretty pleased with that, the question I have is, should there be any play the carrier itself? Side to side movement when youpush it left to right? Im guessing there should be zero movement correct? Im assuming that it means theres is not enough pre-load on the bearings and i need to add equal shims to both sides, that way I can keep my same backlash that i have, yet eliminate the carrier movement, correct?

 

[86GTHatch]

Cant remember the spec, but i always went for about .010" or so preload in the carrier. Basically, some resistance when you turn it, but not to the point to where its real difficult to turn. And, yes, equal shims to each side shouldn't effect backlash, but recheck to verify, just in case.